Portable display device

ABSTRACT

A portable display device comprising collapsible frame members which open into a series of rectangles for receiving rectangular panels and extendible legs. Refinements to permit collapsing into a small compact form for easy transportation and with aids to quick and easy set up into a strong and stable display device. Additional features turn the device into a compact still picture or movie theatre. Portable display devices have been available in the past but they leave much to be desired when it comes to true portability, versatility and ease of setting up. They have not folded as compactly as is possible with the present invention; they have not been as versatile in the configurations possible when set up; nor have they been so easy to set up on location.

United States Patent 151 3,685,666 Rose {451 Aug. 22,1972

[54] PORTABLE DISPLAY DEVICE 3,559,814 2/1971 Downing ..2l1/l78 R X [72]Inventor: Sidney Rose, 92 Laurel St., Little Silver, Monmouth, NJ. 08852Primary Examiner-Ramon Britts Att0mey-Alfred W. Barber [22] Filed: Nov.2, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 85,893 [57] ABSTRACT V A portable display devicecomprising collapsible frame members which open into a series ofrectangles [g2] ..2 ll/l78,:2;;255l% for receiving rectangular panelsand extendible legs I.- o e e u v u e I I a i s a e e e e I e e e I e uQ a e u on a Fleld 0f Search "211/178 R, 177, 2}], 38, 85, form for ytransportation and with aids to quick 21 H104 1 167; and easy set upinto a strong and stable display device. 40/125 1; 248/166 1885Additional features turn the device into a compact still 157; 312/257 Rpicture or movie theatre.

[ 5 References Cited Portable display devices have been available in thepast but they leave much to be desired when it comes UNITED STATESPATENTS to true portability, versatility and ease of setting up. Theyhave not folded as compactly as is possible with l ghugchlll the presentinvention; they have not been as versatile on e l in the configurationspossible when set up; nor have 2,746,822 5/1956 Copenhaver ..248/l88.5they been so easy to Set up on location 2,748,955 6/1956 Anselmo ..211/178 R 3,415,5l9 12/1968 Hand ..40/125 H X 9 Claims, 11 Drawing FiguresF 25- 12 o 16 27 50 T, 26 (1 4 10 4b 4b [E 46 47 H 52 7 13 9 F 51 1 i 1l7 18 l 19 20 J l PATENTEDAUBZZ 1972 3,685,666

SHEET 1 BF 3 49 7 U 25 12 7 1e H 8 2e 14 1O 45 g I 46 21 I I 1 f I '1 2223 I 47 48 l H I I 52 7 13 I 9 I 17 18 I 19 2o 1 1 UL FIG. 1 111.\'1'1;.\"1' 1 SIDNEY ROSE WWW ATTORNEY PATENTEDwszz m2 SHEET 2 OF 3FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

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FIG.1O

IXVENTOR.

SIDNEY ROSE WORNEY PORTABLE DISPLAY DEVICE SUMMARY In accordance withthe present invention a portable folded these horizontal frame membersspring into straightened members. The horizontal frame member hingeshave tongue and groove parts so that when in a straight line, thehorizontal frame members become laterally rigid.

The extendible legs are formed of rectangular extruded aluminum tubingand fit snugly into the vertical frame members. The vertical framemembers are also rectangular extruded aluminum tubing and are providedwith internal ribs. These internal ribs form tracks for the legs andthey allow air to enter as the legs are moved in or out preventing avacuum or compression effect which would slow the operation. The legscarry spring loaded buttons which mate with holes in the verticalmembers providing locking of the legs in extended position. With thelegs withdrawn the display device is adapted to sit on a desk or table.

Various adaptors and accessories are provided. A main shelf is providedto span the display at the bottom edge of the main frame. A sign holdermounts along the top of the main frame. An auxiliary shelf fits in therear of the open display for holding a movie or still picture projectorand a screen for the projection is available. Many configurations arepossible employing two, three, four or more of the rectangular panels. Afloor pad permits use on soft or yielding surfaces. Lamp bracketsprovide an illuminated display. Various accessories provide means forturning the display into a permanent display of fixed configuration.

The hollow rectangular vertical members permit ready and stable mountingof signs, lights and other accessories. Once mounted, the rectangularsection prevents turning so that once located in the desired position,movement is prevented.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a general view of an assembled three panel display device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled two panel display including a shelf and a signholder.

FIG. 3 is the two panel display at the start of the folding operation.

FIG. 4 is the two panel display in a further stage of folding.

FIG. 5 is the two panel display nearly completely folded for carrying.

FIG. 6 is a crosssection taken through an upright frame member carryinga leg.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a horizontal member partly collapsed to showthe spring loading.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the hinge used in the horizontal member to showits interlocking parts.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through an upright and a leg showingthe button which locks the leg in position.

FIG. 10 is a foot pad for receiving a leg to provide a good support on asoft surface such as on a thick rug.

FIG. 1 1 is a view of accessory lamps mounted on the vertical members.

FIG. 1 shows a three panel display in accordance with the presentinvention. The main frame comprises the rectangular tubular vertical orupright members 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 joined together by six horizontalmem bers 45, 46, 47, 48 and so on. These horizontal members are hingedto fold inwardly toward the centers of the rectangles at ll, 12, 13,14,and 16 (see FIGS. 3

. and 5). The three rectangular areas defined by the vertical andhorizontal members are provided with rectangular panels 25, 26 and 27(see also FIG. 4). A shelf may be attached in the rear as suggested bythe dash lines 21, 22, 23 supported by leg 24. The horizontal membersare hinged at each end 49, 50, 51, 52 and so on to permit the inwardfolding at the centers. Legs 17, 18, 19 and 20 are provided formed ofrectangular tubular extrusions so that they slide within the upright members and are locked in place by a spring loaded button (see also FIGS. 6and 9). The horizontal members are spring loaded so that they tend tostraighten (see also FIG. 7) and the center and end hinges are tongueand groove for lateral rigidity when in place (see FIG. 8).

The display folds into a compact and solid rectangular package whenknocked-down (see FIG. 5). The legs slide back into the uprights; thehorizontal members fold inwardly and the whole knocked-down package iscompacted, solid and easy to transport. Also, setting up the displayfrom the knocked-down form is very quick and easy. When released, thehorizontal members straighten themselves to form the rectangles, thelegs are pulled out and locked and the display is set in a verticalposition with its several folds in the desired configuration. Therectangles formed by the vertical and horizontal members are channelledto receive and hold rectangular flat back-boards (see FIG. 4).

The flexibility of configuration is substantially enhanced bydouble-jointed hinges between adjacent uprights which permit 360 degreerotation of one back panel with respect to the next adjacent back panel.Thus, the two, three or more upright panels may be arranged in anydesired geometrical configuration from completely folded in onedirection around to completely folded in the reverse direction.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show various stages through which a two panel displayis programmed to disassemble and fold into a compact configuration forcarrying. As shown in FIG. 3, leg members 33, 34 and 35 are pushed intoupright members 28, 29 and 30 respectively. The horizontal members 40,41 and 43 hinge at centers and ends (suggested by the dotted lines andtwo arrows). With the legs pushed in, the rectangular panels, as 31 inFIG. 4, may be withdrawn. With these panels removed, the upright andvertical members can be folded into a compact rectangular package bycompleting the folding shown in progress in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an upright frame member and leg. Theupright frame member 1 is of a rectangular (preferably square)cross-section and is hollow with internal ribs such as 51 and 52 inpairs along all four inside surfaces. Leg member 17 fits inside lock asthe legs are moved in or out. Along one face of 5 frame member 1 achannel 73-74 is formed to serve as a guide for holding panel 31.Adjacent to this channel the end of the hinge 75 (see also FIG. 7) isfastened as by bolt 77 and the body 46 of the horizontal member ispivoted on bolt 76. Both legs and vertical frame members may be formedby extruding aluminum through a properly formed extrusion die.

FIG. 7 is a side view of one of the hinged horizontal members. Thehorizontal member comprises two substantially equal members 45 and 46hinged at 12 and also adapted to hinge with the vertical members asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 6. In order to cause thehorizontal members to be self-aligning during the set-up process,tension is provided between opposite ends of members 45 and 46 by springloaded wires passing over a channel in the tops of interlocking hingemembers 53 and 54. Wires 56 and 57 tensioned by spring 56 is locatedinside member 46 and a similar wire and spring completes the path insidemember 45.

FIG. 8 shows how hinge members 53 and 54 interlock when the horizontalmember is fully extended. This view also shows channels 58 and 59 forcarrying the tensioning wires.

F IG. 9 is a detail of the leg 17 and frame member 1 in cross-sectionshowing how the leg is locked at a predetermined extended position bymeans of button 62 secured to spring 60 as by nut 63. Spring 60 ismounted on leg 17 as by rivet 61 and serves to force position locatingbutton 62 through hole 65 in leg 17 into hole 64 in frame 1. To unlockbutton 62 is merely pushed in until it clears hole 64.

FIG. shows four leg pads each comprising a flat base 66 and a socket 67for receiving a leg. These leg pads provide a firm base for the displaywhen it is erected on a yielding surface such as a deep pile rug or insand or the like.

FIG. 11 shows how accessories such as lamps 71 and 72 may be readilymounted on the display as by frame 68, 69 and 70 which includesdownwardly projecting arms 68 and 69 which fit into the tops of thehollow upright members.

Iclaim:

1. In a folding display device, the combination of;

a plurality of rectangular frames;

each of said frames comprising two straight side members and top andbottom hinged members; wherein abutting side members are hinged to eachother;

wherein said top and bottom members are hinged to said side members andhave center hinges to permit the inward folding of said top and bottommembers of each of said frames toward one another;

wherein said side members are hollow;

wherein said side members are provided with longitudinal channel meansat the inner edges thereof for receiving rectangular display panels;

leg means retractable into said side members; and

means for maintaining said leg means in an exii'l filiiiilis glli deviceas set forth in claim 1, and including;

longitudinal spring means within said top and bottom members adopted toforce said members into a straight relationship.

3. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

rib means for guiding said leg means and allowing movement of air withinthe side members to prevent air-locking of said legs within said sidemembers.

4. A folding display device as set forth inc claim 1,

and including;

wherein said hinges on said abutting members are double-jointed topermit any angular relationship between adjacent frames.

5. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

a spring loaded stop means attached to each of said legs for mating withopenings in said side members to position said legs at predeterminedextended positions.

6. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

lamp bracket means mountable in the upper ends of said side members.

7. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

foot pad means for receiving the lower ends of said legs.

8. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

rectangular display panels for mounting in said channel means of saidside members.

9. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and

including;

shelf means for mounting across extended bottom members.

1. In a folding display device, the combination of; a plurality ofrectangular frames; each of said frames comprising two straight sidemembers and top and bottom hinged members; wherein abutting side membersare hinged to each other; wherein said top and bottom members are hingedto said side members and have center hinges to permit the inward foldingof said top and bottom members of each of said frames toward oneanother; wherein said side members are hollow; wherein said side membersare provided with longitudinal channel means at the inner edges thereoffor receiving rectangular display panels; leg means retractable intosaid side members; and means for maintaining said leg means in anextended position.
 2. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1,and including; longitudinal spring means within said top and bottommembers adopted to force said members into a straight relationship.
 3. Afolding display device as set forth in claim 1, and including; rib meansfor guiding said leg means and allowing movement of air within the sidemembers to prevent air-locking of said legs within said side members. 4.A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and including; whereinsaid hinges on said abutting members are double-jointed to permit anyangular relationship between adjacent frames.
 5. A folding displaydevice as set forth in claim 1, and including; a spring loaded stopmeans attached to each of said legs for mating with openings in saidside members to position said legs at predetermined extended positions.6. A folding display device as set forth in claim 1, and including; lampbraCket means mountable in the upper ends of said side members.
 7. Afolding display device as set forth in claim 1, and including; foot padmeans for receiving the lower ends of said legs.
 8. A folding displaydevice as set forth in claim 1, and including; rectangular displaypanels for mounting in said channel means of said side members.
 9. Afolding display device as set forth in claim 1, and including; shelfmeans for mounting across extended bottom members.